Quote:Lord knows I have plenty of criticisms to make of TKD. However, believe it or not, kicking to the head is not as crazy as it sounds. The one time I ever used a TKD techniques to get out of a jam was when a nutjob approach me in a park and I whacked him in the head with a round kick. He went down and stayed down. Although it all happened too quick to analyze in complete detail, one thing stands out to this day: I could tell the guy never saw the kick coming. This sounds strange until you realize most people are not martial artist and do not expect to get kicked in the head.

Martial artist or not once your foot goes above your waist you're much, much easier to knock down, in fact by kicking to the head you are pretty much doing the work for them.

So, while this may not be an issue against your average fool, it seems like a bad idea to me to put yourself at this kind of risk when there are lots of equally (if not more) effective targets to kick, that also leave you less vulnerable.

Obviously kicking to the head can be effective, so could a flying armbar i'm sure, neither would be my first choice to get out of a bad situation.

Back to the question of the thread, that's my main feeling as to why TKD gets some of the bad press (i'm sure some of is unjustified), at least outwardly it appears to train showy and risky techniques as it's bread and butter.

Kicking to the head is a finishing technique. If you notice, even in the UFC where several knockouts have come from head kicks, it is only after they have pounded the guy with other techniques to soften him up for that unexpected head shot.

Would I kick to the head in the street? Maybe on a rare occasion but only after I had hurt him already with other techniques to the point where he was dazed or if I had worked my way behind him and set it up with a couple of strong kidney shots first.

_________________________"The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be."

Bruce Lee's JKD goes against kicking to the head, as they see it as impractical. But they also note that if theres a chance, they should.TKD in my opinion has maintained its popularity throughout the decades. However, it is indeed losing its face, to the rising emergence of MMA.

Quote:Well, good for him. Like I said in my original response, some TKD devotees are going to defend their art to the death. That is to be expected.

I think what happens with a lot of martial artists--and I this was certainly one of these--is that we invest so much of ourselves in our arts, so much of our time, effort and energy, that when we finally know enough to start questioning things, we freeze up. We become like the Christian fundamentalist who finally sees that Darwin was right and recoils in horror. His world is shattered--how can it be? From there, he has one of two options: either reject the new, disturbing truth or retreat deeper into denial. Either outcome is possible, but both require long periods of anxiety and mental struggle.

"Good for her" not him. So because what I have and others have used successfully is living in denial because others say so ? A consensus is not fact. Darwin (and TKD bashers)may have a point of view and may convince others (maybe even a majority)to see it as thre "truth", but doesn't mean it is so. Just like Global Warming, it has been shown time and again that there are counter arguements to what the "Believers" say is true, yet it is not a scientific fact, only a consensus. One man's truth is another mans lie, if it gets repeated enough, people start to believe it as fact, and thats the shame !

TKD is an alright martial art, great art to start with and I don't think it deserves the bashing it gets but seeing the musical forms on youtube really makes you think sometimes if TKD does put a lot more enthasis on looking good rather than fighting good

As for who is right, well, in the end it wont matter who has convinced you of something, we are all going to grow old and die and think about how we have lived our lives and we all might get into a street fight, and no matter how much you argue your point on the forums, reality will be what it will be

Quote:Hey guys just wanted to know what you guys think about TKD loosing it's popularity.

Is it.. must have missed that as my schools booming along!

Quote:Also why is TKD getting so much bashing from so many people nowadays and what can we do to prevent this.

People always like to snipe at things, they see a part of something and believe it to be the 'whole' (ie. competition TKD).. most 'bashers' dont know jack about full/proper TKD and simply spout from the hip or have been to a Mcdojang and are p##sed about it or are jealous of its popularity as their schools only have 2 students (but there hardcore right lol)!

Quote:What can we do to help TKD from going down the drain in this new MMA world?

MMA is MMA.. it is what it is.. there are very few pure stylists left in there anymore.. its called MMA for a reason, emphasis on the first 'M'

Quote:TKD in my opinion has maintained its popularity throughout the decades. However, it is indeed losing its face, to the rising emergence of MMA.

I would go further. I think the rise in MMAs is because of the watering down & babying of MAs in general, especially TKD, as it also suffers from that & has the added handicap of having so much emphasis on the Olympic sport aspect. JMHO